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More than a dozen Windsor police employees are on leave after refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Twelve sworn members and one civilian had not received vaccinations or provided an acceptable reason for the exemption before Friday’s deadline.
Police Chief Pam Mizuno did not discuss the issue on Friday, but did release a statement through the service’s corporate communications branch.
“All members of the Windsor Police Service are valued and respected and I recognize that many of our members have had to make a very difficult decision,” Mizuno said in a press release. “The safety of the communities we serve and our membership continues to be our number one priority. I am confident that the level of service we provide to our communities will not waver and that there is no concern for public safety. “
The Windsor Police Services Board adopted a zero tolerance vaccine mandate on October 8 during a special meeting.
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Police officers and civilian personnel had until Friday to get fully vaccinated or provide proof of a legitimate medical or human rights exemption.
The police service said it offered training and education to address questions and concerns about the efficacy and safety of the vaccines.
By the time the policy was approved, about 92 percent of employees had already been vaccinated. That left eight percent, or about 50 people, facing possible disciplinary action.
Windsor police said Friday that the unvaccinated limb rate had dropped to two percent.
“As a result, these members are not eligible to enter the workplace,” police said. “If these members update their vaccination status as described in the policy, they will be allowed to return to the workplace.”
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The police service said it has developed contingency plans for downsizing. Members of various units have been reassigned to maintain service levels and “ensure an effective and efficient emergency response.”
But the president of the Windsor Police Association, Shawn McCurdy, questioned whether service levels can be maintained with fewer people.
“Obviously, we have our concerns,” he said on Friday. “Every time we are going to reduce the number of members we have, we worry because we are a busy police service and our officers are already overloaded with calls for service. So it will have an impact on whoever remains in the workplace. “
The association has filed a general policy complaint, which will go to arbitration next month. McCurdy said more individual complaints could arise.
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“From the beginning we supported vaccines,” he said. “We advocate for police officers and police personnel to get vaccinated. But at that time it was not mandatory. It’s a different situation now. “
The union has been advocating for the option of rapid testing for unvaccinated staff.
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Police services in other Ontario cities have taken that approach, including Ottawa, Waterloo, and several closer to Windsor.
“If you look at our region, you have our neighboring law enforcement services – LaSalle, OPP, Chatham – they all have the option of testing,” McCurdy said. “Which I think is a reasonable option and gives us the ability to maintain our numbers.”
Reference-windsorstar.com
As a citizen of this city (Windsor, ON), I appeal in this way (as for vaccination) to the director and the mayor to put pressure on corrupt employees in the public sector, and police in the city, there are too many (through relatives, friends, through abuse of office …)
It is dishonest to fire them unvaccinated, they were in the forefront and when there was no vaccine, it’s too much for them to be suspended this way now, this should be well considered, it seems to me personally just like the Germans with the Jews , mass graves of children under schools … etc …
I greet all employees vaccinated and unvaccinated, white and black, men and women, we strive for NON-DISCRIMINATION, BUT WE DO AGAINST, SHAME!
I APPEAL TO EVERYONE TO DO THEIR WORK, FAIRLY, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW, AND NOT TO BE CORRUPTED TO ANYONE!
This is shameful, there is too much corruption, and bureaucracy, especially to introduce an investigation into the submission of documents, and statements, and to stop protecting rich killers, criminals and people who break the law ….
To protect the absolutely damaged, and not to accept corruption from those who break the law, they are a bad example for even our children, for society …